To put a dishwasher in a basement suite or not

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To put a dishwasher in a basement suite or not

Tyler Lynn
Member since 2020 · 2 posts · 0 votes

Hey! I recently purchased a property and am in the process of converting the basement into a legal suite, It is going to be a two bedroom unit. I was wondering what people’s opinions are on putting a dishwasher in the basement or if a sink to do dishes would be enough? Thanks for your time ! 

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Member since 2020 · 984 posts · 1k+ votes
5y

NO! I own several apartment buildings and I remove every dishwasher and garbage disposer and not one tenant every complained. A high percent of tenants will never use a dishwasher because most people want to pre-rinse the dishes in their sink and if you have to do that then you may as well wash the dishes. My wife and I had a dishwasher and never used it one time in 18 years.

And...garbage disposer stink. They are literally garbage cans where the garbage spatters in the inside walls and under the large black gasket. There are many things you cannot put in a garbage disposer, anyway, and most tenants, including myself, put garbage in plastic bags and throw it in the trash.

The less you own the less you have to maintain.

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  • Theresa HarrisPro Member
    Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    5y

    What is the norm for suites in your area?

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  • Tyler Lynn
    OP
    Member since 2020 · 2 posts · 0 votes
    5y

    The high end neighbourhood suites do and the lower end ones don’t. My place is somewhere in a B class neighbourhood, I’m thinking it’s worth the extra cost to maybe just commit? 

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  • Brian Armstrong
    Rental Property Investor · Beaverton, OR · Member since 2019 · 34 posts · 29 votes
    5y

    I would lean towards putting it in, it seems like something that most people I know would want in their house so I think it would make it quicker/easier to rent in general, which is super important. That being said I personally wouldn't care if I was a single guy living on my own or with roommates so it depends on the demographic you're renting to and the area really.

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  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    5y

    Not worth it. Dishwashers can be high maintenance and provide another risk of leaks and additional damage. A two-bed unit will typically be occupied by a single person or couple and they can easily wash dishes by hand.

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  • Mary Smith
    Rental Property Investor · Member since 2021 · 385 posts · 197 votes
    5y

    @Tyler Lynn I personally would lean toward putting a dishwasher in the unit. It would be a real add on and plus it's a much better option than having any of your tenants put in their own. 

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  • Account Closed
    Member since 2020 · 984 posts · 1k+ votes
    5y

    NO! I own several apartment buildings and I remove every dishwasher and garbage disposer and not one tenant every complained. A high percent of tenants will never use a dishwasher because most people want to pre-rinse the dishes in their sink and if you have to do that then you may as well wash the dishes. My wife and I had a dishwasher and never used it one time in 18 years.

    And...garbage disposer stink. They are literally garbage cans where the garbage spatters in the inside walls and under the large black gasket. There are many things you cannot put in a garbage disposer, anyway, and most tenants, including myself, put garbage in plastic bags and throw it in the trash.

    The less you own the less you have to maintain.

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  • Account Closed
    Member since 2020 · 984 posts · 1k+ votes
    5y

    And...I never had a tenant make a statement about not having a disposer or dishwasher wen viewing, renting, or after moving  in. I also removed swimming pools from every apartment building and save $3000 to $5000 per year. I save thousands of dollars from having to repair and unclog drains because people throw too much crap in disposers and call me to unclog their drains. I save thousands of dollars from not having to repair and replace dishwashers. 

    I never had even an existing tenant complain when I removed disposers, dishwashers and swimming pools. So, as far as being an amenity for renting apartments, I am not buying it. Never had a tenant say they did not like an apartment because of no disposer, dishwasher, or pool. Tenants only want a simple clean, quiet and safe place to live and swimming pools with a bunch of brats is noisy and dangerous. The reason one landlord sold me his 28-unit apartment building is because a child died in his pool.

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